Hayti, Missouri

Hayti (pronounced "HAY-tie") is a city in eastern Pemiscot County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,493 at the 2020 census.

History
Hayti was platted in 1894, when the railroad was extended to that point. According to one tradition, the name honors Dr. G. Hayes, an original owner of the site. It is also claimed the name is derived from the country of Haiti, the name of which was commonly spelled as "Hayti" prior to the twentieth century. A post office called Hayti has been in operation since 1895.

Geography
The city lies in eastern Pemiscot County, just west of the Mississippi River. Interstate 55 passes through the eastern half of Hayti, connecting the city with the Sikeston area to the north and Blytheville, Arkansas, to the south. Interstate 155 intersects I-55 near Hayti's southern border, and continues southeastward across the river into Tennessee. U.S. Route 412 connects Hayti to Kennett to the west, and Route 84 connects the city with Caruthersville to the east. The city of Hayti Heights borders Hayti immediately to the west.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.31 sqmi, of which 2.30 sqmi is land and 0.01 sqmi is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 2,493 people, 1,133 households, and 650 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,939 people, 1,258 households, and 739 families living in the city. The population density was 1277.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,376 housing units at an average density of 598.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 52.23% White, 45.12% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.51% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.99% of the population.

There were 1,258 households, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.1% were married couples living together, 25.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.3% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median age in the city was 38.2 years. 26.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.6% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 16.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.8% male and 54.2% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,207 people, 1,318 households, and 809 families living in the city. The population density was 1450.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,436 housing units at an average density of 649.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 54.66% White, 43.75% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.

There were 1,318 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.8% were married couples living together, 23.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.1% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $15,384, and the median income for a family was $23,720. Males had a median income of $24,028 versus $15,486 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,265. About 35.7% of families and 38.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 54.7% of those under age 18 and 29.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public education in Hayti is administered by Hayti R-II School District, which operates two elementary schools and Hayti High School.

Hayti has a lending library, the Conran Memorial Library.

Notable people

 * Veda Brown (née Mildred Pulliam Whitehorn), singer
 * Lew Carpenter (1932–2010), NFL running back and coach, was born in Hayti
 * Preston Carpenter (1934–2011), University of Arkansas and NFL running back, was born in Hayti
 * Akela Cooper, screenwriter and television producer.
 * Wendell Mayes, Oscar-nominated Hollywood writer, was born in Hayti
 * William Moore, former Missouri Tiger and NFL Atlanta Falcons safety
 * Keith Palmer, country musician
 * Bob Stroger, blues musician
 * Eric Tanner, 1994 NFR Champion Bull rider